Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
A man does not show his greatness by being at one extremity, but rather by touching both at once.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True greatness is about balance and understanding both extremes of a situation.
In this quote, Blaise Pascal emphasizes that a truly great person is not defined by their position at one extreme of a spectrum, but rather by their ability to comprehend and connect with both ends. This balance allows for a deeper understanding of life, circumstances, and human experiences, reflecting a nuanced perspective that is essential for genuine greatness.
Themes
GreatnessBalanceExtremesUnderstandingWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a motivational speech about personal growth and understanding ambiguity.
More from Blaise Pascal
All quotes βIf we submit everything to reason our religion will be left with nothing mysterious or supernatural. If we offend the principles of reason our religion will be absurd and ridiculous . . . There are two equally dangerous extremes: to exclude reason, to admit nothing but reason.
Blaise PascalRead
Those are weaklings who know the truth and uphold it as long as it suits their purpose, and then abandon it.
Blaise PascalRead
Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.
Blaise PascalRead
If he exalts himself, I humble him. If he humbles himself, I exalt him. And I go on contradicting him Until he understands That he is a monster that passes all understanding.
Blaise PascalRead
What use is it to us to hear it said of a man that he has thrown off the yoke that he does not believe there is a God to watch over his actions, that he reckons himself the sole master of his behavior, and that he does not intend to give an account of it to anyone but himself?
Blaise PascalRead
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Faith in ourselves will do everything. I have experienced it in my own life, and am still doing so; and as I grow older that faith is becoming stronger and stronger. He is an atheist who does not believe in himself. The old religions said that he was an atheist who did not believe in God. The new religion says that he is the atheist who does not believe in himself
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When you're full of yourself, God can't fill you. But when you empty yourself, God has a useful vessel.
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Only that day dawns to which we are awake.
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All emanates from Source! ...You're not this body and its accomplishments. You are the observer. Notice it all; and be grateful for the abilities you've been given, the motivation to achieve, and the stuff you've accumulated. But give all the credit to the power of intention, which brought you into existence.
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Every man prefers belief to the exercise of judgment.
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There needs to be understanding that anger never helps to solve a problem. It destroys our peace of mind and blinds our ability to think clearly. Anger and attachment are emotions that distort our view of reality.
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